JAMES WADE praised Phil Taylor as a 'worthy winner' of the Stan James World Matchplay following his 18-9 defeat in Blackpool on Saturday.

Wade saw Taylor relcaim the World Matchplay trophy with a scintillating display, reeling off a run of winning 14 legs from 16 to come from 7-4 down early on and take the £60,000 winner's cheque.

Although disappointed to have lost his title, Wade was full of praise for Taylor's record performance, averaging 109.47 in the final.

"I averaged 102 and feel like I've played like and idiot!" said Wade. "I'm devastated but the scoreline was a fair reflection of how we both played, and he was far better than me.

"I did well until around the 18th leg and then I lost the plot.

"I let the crowd get to be a little and it affected my game but I should be bigger and better than that by now, but it's experience.

"Phil was better than me, a worthy winner. He played superbly in the final, and throughout the whole week.

"Phil makes me do what I do and I can't wait for the next time I play him."

Wade reached a third successive final in the World Matchplay, and admitted that his overall performance was pleasing.

"I'm over the moon with how I played until the final," he added. "I was very pleased with my performances against Matt Clark and Wayne Mardle but I feel like I like myself down in the final.

"I've still got a lot to learn and I want the title back, and hopefully I can get to the final next year and try to win it back."

Date : 04-08-2008